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30 year wait for parent visa damages Australia’s international standing for migrant integration

The department of immigration's (DIBP's) website states that the processing period for the non-contributory parent visa is now 30 years. The previous indication was 13 years. Has the quota dropped for this parent visa category or have more people desperately joined the queue in light the of the shock from the government’s attempt to repeal the visa class?

Thirty or 13 years, the wait is too long. Unless families can contribute some $100,000 and get on the contributory parent visa class which has a processing period of under 2 years, family reunions involving parents look virtually impossible.

This issue together with the difficulties faced by migrants in obtaining permanent residency were among the reasons cited for the fall in Australia’s score in the latest assessment of Australia’s performance in resettling migrants according to a report by the global ranking index, MIPEX.

The Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX) is a unique tool which measures policies to integrate migrants in all EU Member States, Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, Turkey and the USA.

Developers of the index, use 167 policy indicators to “create a rich, multi-dimensional picture of migrants’ opportunities to participate in society. The index is a tool to evaluate and compare what governments are doing to promote the integration of migrants in all the countries analysed.

While Australia ranks 8 out of the 38 countries ranked, the migrant integration policy index has penalised Australia for policies that make it harder for migrants to have family reunions and obtain permanent residence.

The parent category visa was a particular concern. The category includes both the Parent (non-contributory) and the Contributory Parent visas. Parent (non-contributory) visa applications have a lower processing priority than other visas in the family stream such as partners, children and contributory parent visas. DIBP's website indicates that the same number of parent visas will be available this  year: 8,675. However its website is still showing the 2014–15 Migration Programme year breakdown for the 2 different classes, with the quota as follows:

  • 1 500 places allocated to Parent (non-contributory) visas (subclasses 103 and 804)
  • 7 175 places allocated to Contributory Parent visas (subclasses 173/143 and subclasses 884/864) which requires a contribution of over $100,000.

According to the DIBP, due to the caps, applicants for a Parent (non-contributory) visa “can expect an approximate 30 year wait before visa grant consideration after being allocated a queue date.”

“People just can’t do that,” said Jessica Kinsella, the Australian National University lecturer who helped compile the Australian data for MIPEX. In an interview with the AAP news agency she said that migrant policies needed attention in order to promote social cohesion and help those already settled to have a fulfilling life. Ms Kinsella said Australia needs to weigh up the need of migrants to be with family against the burden some could place on the health system, along with the economic contribution grandparents can make as a source of childcare.

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  • Guest
    Pardeep Saturday, 06 February 2016

    Asking for 50,000 immigration bribe plus 15000 centrelink plus 8000 visa fees plus airfares
    Is like asking an Aussie to put up 10% deposit for a house, which they have failed in generations to do.
    Criminals at their best in ripping off innovent people

  • Guest
    Michael Monday, 08 February 2016

    Does anyone have any hard statistics about how long it takes and how much it costs for family reunion visas or parent visas in other Western style countries? Thank you.

  • Guest
    Matthew Simpson Monday, 18 July 2016

    it would be nice to see if Australia, Ban all kind of skilled migration and invite everyone on just 457 Visa with no permission to grant Parents visitor visa - Forget the permanent visa.
    This will test how many people are interested and what is the value of Australian visa?
    Partner visa application fee currently stands at 7,000- seriously ask how many locals will have that much in their savings account ?
    Migration in Australia is a business, whether 457, skilled, parents.
    Who can feed these greedy bastards more, get their application processed - so called Contributory (pay for your own living).
    The higher the fees are, the longer the wait is creating hate in recent migrants. and sooner or later Australia will loose in many sense, Crime - Hate, discrimination, and education sector.
    Good luck in continuing with such policies

  • Guest
    Guest Monday, 08 August 2016

    We didn't create this planet, we didn't create the land. If we are peaceful then why borders and painful distance between the loved ones!! Stop the enemies of humanity, not those who spread love, not those who come in peace.

  • Guest
    Michael Morrisroe Tuesday, 09 August 2016

    Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX) is so highly politicized that it is virtually worthless as an indication of where Australia or any other country stands in relation to bringing families together. Omar Khayyam may have had it right when he said "Indeed the Idols I have loved so long Have done my credit in this World much wrong, have drown'd my Glory in a shallow Cup and sold my Reputation for a Song." We should look to our own values--not those of some political club in Europe--for direction on whether bringing families together is a value we affirm.

  • Guest
    D Wednesday, 31 August 2016

    I'm a hard working single man and paying high tax bracket. I'm got my PR in 2009. I'm the single child and my parents living overseas are getting old. I can't agree some argument against NC parent visa and I think that is selfish and brutal. We all came to this continent for a better life and want to embrace its culture and values. Leaving parent overseas means I will transfer my wealth overseas for aged care and also means I will never feel myself being part of Australia because this country will only work me and don't care about family values.

    Also I can't agree some argument that parents will definitely bring burden to Australian welfare system. In contrast my parents (and ppl around me their parents) will bring all their wealth TO Australia if they can get PR, they will spend here! Australia is only appealing to my parents cos of me being here. Pls don't overestimate the attractiveness of social welfare in Australia and don't misunderstand people's motivation of migrating.

  • Guest
    Michael Morrisroe Friday, 02 September 2016

    Hello D Wednesday, 31 August 2016, "I'm a hard working single man and paying high tax bracket." I think many people would be happy to be in your situation and also be willing to invest in the shorter queue--even if it meant deep debt. In communism, capitalism, and just about any ism represented in our world, elderly people don't count because they do not produce wealth. The fact that they contribute to social stability and the much vaunted "family values" of Australia is really not counted toward measuring the value of the elderly. In fact, across much of Europe and parts of Australia, euthanasia for the elderly is often valued because of its economic impact rather than its quality of compassion. I sympathise entirely with anyone trying to bring in a parent. Our immigration law says 'yes' on paper and 'no' in practical operation.
    I wish you luck...

  • Guest
    Ian Bosley Friday, 02 September 2016

    The Immigration Minister said some time ago, our immigration program is to generally benefit Australia and is not a social welfare system for the world. Over 400,000 migrants a year come in, some permanent, some temporary, some to work, some for family. This is generous. It would be nice for families to come and then bring in parents, brothers, sisters aunties, uncles etc but Australia cannot help all. It is easy to focus on our personal dreams and be critical but there should be some consideration for Australia's needs and capacities as well.

  • Guest
    Malti Rana Sunday, 02 April 2017

    Austrelian government immprove the contribution fee, If possible became little libaral. Because just like us, perants affort the fee. The perants gives their childran for the progress of Austrelia. Be Austrelia progressive with technology, elecronics and feelings also.

  • Guest
    Phil Tuesday, 20 June 2017

    Not every individual is guaranteed to cost $47,000 in medical/social bills (current contributory visa fees). Why can't they pay their $6000 normal visa fee and in the meantime be given a bridging visa (pre-resident visa, hence no Australian funded perks) to assist uniting families but insist on them paying their way with private health insurance (no welfare assistance), not permitted a drivers licence (therefore not stressing roads and infrastructure but allowed the same liberties as most tourists via promoting public transport which runs regardless). And required to undergo their own self funded English test (ie IELTS), and if not up to scratch find free tuition through friends/family or even better; pay for classes (can create jobs and puts money back into education/Australia). As well as being required a set minimum hours of community volunteer work: assisting people with disability and on welfare (in turn helping fellow Australians and benefit the individual by helping them socialise and learn more about their community), or provide family child care (relieving stress on the insufficient childcare places which the government is paying a lot in rebates), or green work (beautifying Australia via gardening, art, rubbish removal, recycling) or taxable work (can be government listed to make sure its not under the table work, and not competitive areas so jobs can be better distributed and no "jobs stolen"). Limit the purchase of properties to prevent individuals taking advantage of the system. Preventing further applicants from piggybacking on their visas (should be only applied through the original sponsoring Australian, if the applicant meets all visa requirements).
    Speaking with a number of Australians with offshore elderly parents, it is a great flow of money out overseas, by monthly Australian earnt money overseas as well as a multitude of trips overseas visiting them and money exiting (surely money is huge concern to our government). Keeping families together with careful planning they can spin this around to somewhat be mutually beneficial to all and less of a so-called "stress" on the economy.

  • Guest
    Sam Tuesday, 20 June 2017

    It is just not possible for Australia to take all the people who want to come. It is a sad reality that larger numbers of older people add to the already tough burden on younger taxpayers.

  • Guest
    Ben Scheelings Tuesday, 20 June 2017

    Should have thought of that when deciding to migrate and abandoning parents in the process. Why is everyone on the take, commonly known as the entitlement syndrome? Parent migration is not an entitlement, one needs to meet the criteria like everyone else. However, a parent can come as a contributory applicant or on a retirement visa - these all cost money, so if one is keen to have a parent here, I suggest putting one's hand in one's pocket, not someone else's. It would be interesting to see how many of these complainants send money to their parents on a regular (say monthly) basis - I suspect very few. Yet they want us tax -payers (very few of us left, I might add) are expected to do so. But there is light at the end of the tunnel so I believe. There was talk about parents being granted a 10 year visitor visa as from August this year. Of course no hand outs or entitlements as a visitor which may not please all those wishing a trip on the gravy train.

  • Guest
    Pardeep Kumar Tuesday, 20 June 2017

    The best way to enter is by Boat everything else set by these 1865 Generation is a money milking scheme to fund their greed. 99% of these people can not read write hence need prepared machine - called Migrants or so called labor.

  • Guest
    Kyle Chen Wednesday, 21 June 2017

    Actually its more about Chinese.

    Unlike many other countries, it is enforced by LAW in China, that Chinese children have to take care of the parents (or faces fine+jail if they don't). Read: nytimes.com/2013/07/03/world/asia/filial-piety-once-a-virtue-in-china-is-now-the-law.html

    There is no government pension, no elderly care, no nursing home etc. in China. Every kid look after their parent at home till the end.

    Taking in any young Chinese born 80' 90'(during the one child policy time) will result taking in another 1~2 old people. It is inevitable. They will do this by any means, legally or illegally. Otherwise the parents will suffer since the lack of social care or any kind of cares in China.

    What made this worse, is the Chinese current cold culture in many cities. If you have ever watched this youtu.be/IhkAeCwAFC8 It is like, people don't help others who are in big troubles in China. Meaning, if one of your old parents have a sudden heart attack and fall on the public street, no one will come up and help, they will walk around and ignore it. Even someone kind enough to call the ambulance, the Chinese hospital won't do a proper rescue if the fee is not pre-paid. The hospital will spend hours to find a relative, sign the agreement and pay the cost, before doing anything on the patient. Unthinkable, it is a society by design that old people can not survive alone.

  • Guest
    Crystal Spae Wednesday, 05 July 2017

    Kyle Chen. I was born in the 80s in China and I am the only child. My parents retired last year at age 60 and they both have pension (AU$5000 per month) and enjoy very good medic care and elderly care in China when needed. What the heck are you talking about?! Have you lived in China yourself? Since when watching some youtube clips is the best way to understand a country and a society. Give me a break! The truth is the main goal if not the only goal for elderly Chinese parents to be willing to move and live in another country like Australia in their 60s, 70s, 80s or even 90s is to provide support to their children who settled in Australia, started a young family but often both have full-time jobs. These elderly Chinese parents don't move to Australia so they can enjoy the "FREE" welfare coz 1) they can get that back in China 2) they will need to get private insurance anyway requested by the Australian government so it's not really "FREE" 3) The Australia public health care system is not that "great" compared to many other developed countries. Yes, if you do the bulk-billing it's free but unless you are going to die you will need to wait for quite a long time to get the proper treatment. That's why most of the people I know in Australia are on private insurance. My husband and I pay over $400 a month for private insurance and yet when we go see a GP it still costs us $90 and we only can claim $30+ back. You know how much it costs me to see a GP in Shanghai? Almost nothing! So PLEASE do your research and go live in that country before opening your mouth and criticising it like you know everything.

  • Guest
    Kyle chen Friday, 07 July 2017

    Wow what are you talking about?
    $5000 pension per month? You are joking right? Only top 1.5% richest chinese working class earn just over $3000, and your parents pension get $5000? (Btw The average salary in my home town is rmb3000, or $600 per month)

    Most of chinese live in tier4+ towns, which is a poor sad land. Shanghai and Beijing are wealthier than New York, you get top class of Medicare and everything over there, I understand. But that simply can't represent the rest of china.

    Btw im currently visiting china. Im in a farmers village right now. You want me send you some photos to show you how sad the place is? Have you ever leave Shanghai and visit some farmers village in your life?

  • Guest
    Sam Friday, 07 July 2017

    It is interesting seeing the large number of posts saying how bad it is of Australia to restrict migration of aged parents on cheap visas Tough. I paid taxes here all my life. I want these to help aged Australians who contributed here. The wait for the visa costing $50,000 is now 3 years long with people happy to pay for the privelage of living here. It is a priviledge, not a right. Get over it.

  • Guest
    Ben Scheelings Friday, 07 July 2017

    Who is Crystal Spae a.k.a. Kyle Chen, and who is he/she having a go at with "what the heck are you talking about"? One might well ask, what is he/she talking about? I have not tried the medical services in Shanghai (the Shanghainese have a reputation for not being what they seem by non-Shanghainese and considered trustworthy) so will have to take Kyle Chen's comments with a grain of salt. In general, when turning up at a hospital in China the first thing they ask for "do you have the money". Mo chin, mo kong (no money, no talk) is de rigueur, but more to the point, if the medical facilities were that cheap and good in China why do hordes of mainlanders come to Hong Kong with their medical problems putting immense pressure on Hong Kong's medical services at the detriment to the Hong Kong population. Looking after elderly parents is the tradition in China (and many other Asian and European countries I might add) and has worked well for generations but unfortunately the younger generation has forgotten this tradition. Time and time again I see elderly parents being discarded when looking after grand children is no longer required. I should like to name and shame those who charge their parents rent and those who turf their parents out of the home after they have reached their 'use by' dates but confidential provisions prevent me from doing so at present. How do these elders survive? Kind hearted Centerlink provides the funds for the rent being charged and the accommodation in cases of need. The system is being rorted by many and goes unchecked when Centerlink officers do not do their home work.

  • Guest
    Tara Tuesday, 22 August 2017

    skilled workers should avoid offering their trade to Australia until they accept that most people need or want their families with them. As a qualified nurse I would never jet off half way across the world and leave my family behind, not when there are better options, nurses are lucky enough to be able to work all over the world as are many other skilled workers, choose a country that will offer you the best life possible, there are plenty to choose from.

  • Guest
    Sam Tuesday, 22 August 2017

    Fair comment. Both you and Australia have choices. Democracy and market forces.

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